Mercedes-Benz Ditches 2017 Car Diesels

by Bob Nagy | May 10, 2017 3:00 PM

Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG has suspended efforts to certify diesel-powered passenger vehicles for the 2017 model year in America. Mercedes-Benz USA spokesman Rob Moran confirmed the move, which comes in the midst of numerous industrywide investigations regarding compliance of turbodiesel engines with stringent U.S. emissions requirements. However he pointed out that M-B has not decided to withdraw diesel engines totally from this country, despite the fact that last year they represented less than 1-percent of the automaker’s total sales volume and are expected to only account for “a small niche within our U.S. lineup” going forward.

"We constantly review our portfolio offerings and make adjustments to meet immediate customer need," Moran noted in a statement. "Combined with the increased effort to certify diesel engines in the U.S., we have put the certification process for diesel passenger cars on hold." While admitting certification could resume at a later date, it appears the chances of seeing any diesel-powered 2017 Mercedes car models here are slim to none. At this time, the only 2017 Mercedes-Benz fitted with an oil-burning engine on sale in America is the full-size Sprinter van.

Mercedes had earlier indicated it intended to bring turbodiesel-powered versions the C-Class as well as the GLC, GLE and GLS SUVs to America. But given the automaker’s recent announcement regarding plans to launch 10 new EVs by 2022, there’s some reason to wonder when, or if, U.S. buyers should expect to see any new turbodiesel-powered Mercedes-Benz passenger cars.